The Best Doughnuts in Austin

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Looking to drop a day’s worth of calories in just a couple of bites? Don’t sweat it, the city of Austin will hook you up. Ken’s Donuts and Gourdough’s both serve some high-quality doughnuts, but that’s where the similarities end.

Photo by Katie Walsh

On one end of the spectrum, we have good ol’ Ken’s Donuts. This cheap spot, a student-favorite, cooks delicious 99¢doughnuts for those suffering from anything like finals trauma to the drunchies. Located on the Drag, it doesn’t get more convenient than Ken’s. Scared of the “snow”? No problem. They deliver!

At Ken’s you’ll find the classics: glazed, chocolate, cream filled, cake doughnuts, and a few other crowd favorites like the raspberry-filled, lemon-filled and blueberry doughnuts. But, the real winner is the sour cream doughnut. I know what you’re thinking, and no this isn’t a baked potato, but trust me it really works. The sour cream doesn’t overpower the doughnut, instead it adds a tang that’ll shock your taste buds.

Photo by Katie Walsh

But Ken’s main wildcard is its samosa. This traditional Indian pastry contains a spiced potato, onion and lentil mixture inside a pocket of fried dough—not exactly what you’d expect walking into an old-school doughnut joint. The dough has a buttery crunch that serves as the perfect foundation for the expertly seasoned (and spicy) traditional filling.

On the other side of the spectrum lies Gourdough’s. Originally a single, silver air-stream food truck, this gourmet doughnut vendor now has a restaurant on South Lamar to accompany its multiple trucks.

For the kids with thicker wallets and larger bellies, Gourdough’s is your place. You won’t find a simply glazed or cream-filled doughnut here. Instead, treat yo’self to an Angus beef patty topped with house pimento cheese, tomato, and onion, sandwiched between two doughnuts. Yes, you read that right. I said Angus beef and doughnuts. This ain’t your normal doughnut shop. Other meat-lover options include The Mother Clucker, a doughnut topped with chicken tenders and honey butter, and the Flying Pig, a bacon and maple frosted doughnut.

If the sweet and savory combo isn’t floating your boat, how about a doughnut with chipotle-infused brownie batter garnished with chocolate icing? Wipe that drool off your chin. All Gourdough’s doughnuts are handmade and fried fresh to order, so they will melt in your mouth still sizzling from the deep fryer. Check their facebook page for locations and hours.